Walgreens opens Windsor distribution center

Drugstore chain Walgreens today officially opened its $175 million distribution center in Windsor with 250 workers, a third of whom have disabilities.

The 700,000-square-foot facility -- large enough for 12 football fields -- serves Walgreens stores throughout the Northeast and will eventually employ as many as 800, officials said.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell joined executives of the Deerfield,Ill.-based chain for the ribbon-cutting at the building at 60-80 International Drive. Walgreens has a similar facility in Anderson, S.C.

"Our goal is a strong economic future," Rell said. "That means creating and maintaining a diversified work force. I am tremendously proud of the partnership that brought this project to fruition.''

Reader response:

"This is going to be a major asset for the greater hartford community. This area is a great location with immediate airport access and a terrific interconnecting highway system which is ideal for distribution and manufacturing. It is the State of Connecticut's obligation to promote and provide the necessay incentives to attract these businesses to our area. The quality of life in central Connecticut is as good as it gets. Let's promote it and let the world know it. It takes effort but the results are well worth it. Grow our economy and we will not be talking about deficits.'' -- C. Levy, Levy & Droney P.C.